"It will be an explosively developing storm, a quick-mover though," Fisher said.

State police on the Massachusetts Turnpike reported slippery conditions this morning. The speed was reduced to 40 mph and tandem trailers and tankers were prohibited.

"It's slicking up out here," state Trooper Stephen T. Mihalek, who is attached to the Westfield barracks, said this morning.

Easthampton police said the Mountain Road stretch of Route 141 was closed at 9 a.m. until further notice. At 2:10 p.m., the road was reopened. Two restaurants on that stretch, The Log Cabin and Tavern on the Hill, remained open. A winter parking ban has been enacted for Easthampton.

Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanAngela Araujo of Springfield makes her way to work walking on Main Street in downtown during Wednesday's snow storm.

Westfield City Hall closed at noon. South Hadley implemented a winter parking ban from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday.

New Year's Eve revelers heading east towards Worcester and Boston will likely encounter even more snow - 7 to 10 inches, Fisher said.

Those venturing out to celebrate should dress warmly, Fisher said. Temperatures could fall as low as 15 and the wind chill factor could make it feel as cold as minus 10, he said.

"It will definitely be a cold and blustery end to 2008," Fisher said.

New Year's Day will be sunny and cold with sub-zero wind chill, Fisher said.

A potential storm for Friday has "pretty much fizzled out," Fisher said, adding that it may bring light snow or snow showers Friday afternoon.

Due to the weather, Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield will open at 6 p.m., an hour late, Wednesday.

The exhibit will be open until 11 p.m. The season will conclude on Saturday. It will be open from Thursday through Saturday, the final day, from 5 to 11 p.m.

For more information call (413) 733-3800.

Also, Holyoke announced a parking ban, in effect from Thursday at 7 a.m. until Friday at 7 a.m. There will be no parking on the odd side of any street unless posted otherwise.